Lynnwood City Council approves Essential Public Facilities amendment, Planned Unit Development

The Lynnwood City Council unanimously passed an amendment on Essential Public Facilities (EPF) and approved the Clare Planned Unit Development during Monday’s meeting.

The EPF amendment reinforced the City’s compliance with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) and facilitates public participation and City decision-making when EPFs are proposed in Lynnwood, according to City staff.

The State Municipal Research and Services Center described Essential Public Facilities as those facilities that are typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education facilities and state or regional transportation facilities, state and local correctional facilities, solid waste handling facilities, and inpatient facilities including substance abuse facilities, mental health facilities, group homes, and secure community transition facilities.

City staff noted that communities cannot deny EPF by law but that cities can evaluate their impact and require appropriate mitigation. EPF can be subject to review. The amendment brings the city into compliance with state law, City staff said.

“I’m very pleased that (Community Development) director (Paul) Krauss and his staff have crafted an ordinance that gives the citizens of Lynnwood a way to have a voice in the siting of such a Public Facility. I think it’s important to remember that, as director Krauss said, we are not able to reject out of hand the siting of Essential Public Facilities, but we do want to have the voices of our citizens heard on this matter, so the interests of our citizens, the interests of our City can be protected in the process.”

The Council also unanimously approved the final plat for the Clare Planned Unit Development, a subdivision of a 1.16 acre parcel into six single-family lots, located at 4620 210th Street SW (4620 209th Street SW).

The Council approved the appointment of Jim Kelley as the City’s new Information Technology Director. 

Councilmember Van AuBuchon abstained during the vote because he said he was not pleased with the hiring process. AuBuchon said that the process wasn’t as open and transparent as it should be. He emphasized his vote was not because of any concerns with Kelley. Later, AuBuchon and City Council President Loren Simmons agreed the City’s hiring process would be brought back to the City Council for discussion.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/lynnwood-city-council-approves-essential-public-facilities-amendment-planned-unit-development/
This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 29, 2015 at 04:09AM

Lynnwood hires new Information Technology Director

Jim Kelley

The Lynnwood City Council approved the appointment of Jim Kelley as the new Information Technology Director during Monday’s meeting.

Kelly, appointed by Mayor Nicola Smith, had been serving as the Interim IT Director since November 2014.

Last November, the City of Lynnwood contracted with Talbot, Korvola & Warwick to conduct a review and assessment of its Information Services, which was a division under the supervision of the Finance Director. The consultants analyzed the quantity and quality of services provided, analyzed staffing levels, and reviewed the division organization and structure. The consultant concluded that due to the complexity of the city’s information technology needs, it would be prudent to create a separate Information Technology Department and hire a Director skilled in IT management to oversee the department. The Lynnwood City Council voted unanimously to create a separate Information Technology Department.

“Since joining the City of Lynnwood last November, Jim has proven to be an effective leader, problem solver, and great collaborator,” Smith said. “I am confident that Director Kelley will play a crucial role in our city-wide strategic planning and moving the city forward.”

Kelley comes to Lynnwood with over 25 years of experience in IT management. Throughout his career, Kelley has been responsible for all aspects of IT including application support and development, network architecture and administration, end user support and training, and project management. He has worked in the public sector for a significant portion of his career at agencies focusing on public need in the areas of: public health, environmental protection, workers compensation and public transportation.

Kelley holds a Master of Science Degree in Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer information Systems from Regis University in Denver. He currently serves on the Lake Stevens Parks and Recreation Planning Board, he chairs the Joint Snohomish County/City of Lake Stevens Master Planning Committee for the Snohomish County Cavelero Hill Park comprehensive plan update, he is an active member of the Lake Stevens Rotary Club, and is the club’s immediate past president.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/lynnwood-hires-new-information-technology-director/
This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 29, 2015 at 03:33AM

Can you provide a home for Tywin?

Tywin is now at Paws in Paradise (formerly Adix) in Edmonds.

Tywin is an approximately 2-year-old, domestic medium hair tabby mix. He was found as a stray in Edmonds. He is still a bit shy with people, but it’s obvious that he craves attention and companionship — and he should bloom once he gets to know his future companion. Tywin is playful with the office cat here, so he seems fine with other cats. It is unknown if he gets along with dogs. Tywin’s adoption fee is $115 at Paws In Paradise (formally Adix), 21100 72nd Ave. W., in Edmonds. Call 425-778-1475 to learn more.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/can-you-provide-a-home-for-tywin/
This article by Administrator originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 29, 2015 at 02:36AM

Lynnwood Chick-fil-A preparing to open May 7; first 100 guests will receive free chicken for a year

Customers camped out in the parking lot earlier this month at the Chick-fil-A in Bellevue. The first 100 customers in Lynnwood will receive free chicken for a year.

Preparations are underway for the grand opening of the Lynnwood Chick-fil-A restaurant on May 7.

The grand opening celebration includes the chance for 100 adults to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year. Chick-fil-A’s “First 100” celebration is the restaurant company’s signature grand opening event, which transforms the restaurant parking lot into a 24-hour community friendly party as the crowd awaits the opening. The restaurant is located at 3026 196th Street SW., Lynnwood.

The Lynnwood First 100 event will award more than $32,000 in free food. A digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A Meals will be given to each of the first 100 eligible adults, ages 18 and older with identification, in line when the doors open at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 7.

If more than 100 people are onsite when the line officially forms at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, then all 100 spots will be determined by a drawing held that morning with those selected needing to camp out for 24 hours to secure their spot. This community event is only open to guests residing in specific zip codes within a 50-mile radius surrounding the restaurant. See http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/First-100 for more details. Prizes will be awarded around 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 7.

The new Lynnwood restaurant will be locally owned and operated by veteran Chick-fil-A operator Paul Rosser. A long-time Chick-fil-A team member, Rosser, pursued the path to becoming a franchise owner while attending the University of Tennessee and became an interim manager soon after graduating. Rosser managed Chick-fil-A restaurants in Illinois, Delaware, Mississippi and Tennessee before being selected as a Chick-fil-A franchise owner in March 2009, operating the Jackson restaurant for nearly six years. Lynnwood, he said, “has been his dream home” since visiting the Seattle area earlier this year. Rosser recently relocated to Lynnwood with his wife, Danielle, to open the restaurant.

To celebrate the new Chick-fil-A restaurant and the Lynnwood community, Rosser is collecting new children’s books to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County. The community is invited to bring children’s books to the restaurant from Tuesday, May 5, through Saturday, May 9, to be placed in a Book House, donated by the Chick-fil-A Foundation. The nearly three-foot Book House, created entirely from reclaimed wood, will then be donated to serve local youth in Snohomish County.

Lynnwood’s new Chick-fil-A is built to LEED specifications with water and energy efficiency features, air quality control and waste diversion efforts, among other initiatives. With dining room seating for 124 and outdoor patio seating for 16 guests, the new restaurant also includes drive-thru service.

Following its grand opening, the restaurant, which offers free Wi-Fi, will be open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m.  Like all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it will be closed on Sunday.

Chick-fil-A at Lynnwood is the last of three stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurants opening this spring in the Puget Sound. The first location, at 785 116th Ave NE in Bellevue, opened April 9, and the second, located at 3902 S. Steele Street in Tacoma, followed on April 16.

It’s anticipated that people will be camping out overnight at the Lynnwood Chick-fil-A in anticipation of its grand opening on May 7.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/lynnwood-chick-fil-a-preparing-to-open-may-7-first-100-guests-will-receive-free-chicken-for-a-year/
This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 28, 2015 at 10:49PM

City proclaims April as Month of the Young Child

Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith and the City Council celebrated April as the Month of the Young Child with a Proclamation at Monday’s meeting. 32nd District Ruth Kagi, a champion of early education and representatives from Edmonds Community College’s Center for Families participated in the reading of the Proclamation. Pictured in the front row are Mayor Nicola Smith, Center for Families Director Lisa Neumann, Represenative Ruth Kagi, Center for Families’ Jen Cole and Edmonds Community College’s Dean for Student Life and Development Dan Johnson along with the City Council (back row).

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/city-proclaims-april-as-month-of-the-young-child/
This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 28, 2015 at 10:01PM

Sponsor spotlight: Experience Momentum Wellness Center grand opening on Friday

Experience Momentum, located at 4030 Alderwood Mall Blvd. in Lynnwood, will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 17 at noon. The grand opening celebration will take place between 3-8 p.m.

The Experience Momentum Functional Wellness Center will provide free public access to its new 10,000-square-foot facility. Participants are encouraged to arrive in gym clothes and try out the center’s new fitness classes, which includes yoga, CrossFit and cycling. The event will include nutrition presentations and demonstrations, chair massages and injury screens. Additional raffle prize drawings and door prizes will also be given away at the event.

In addition to celebrating the grand opening, Experience Momentum will raise funds for Nourishing Network, a weekend meal program for homeless and low-income families, sponsored by the Foundation for Edmonds School District. Free raffle tickets will be provided for people who bring in easy-open food items, such as applesauce, fruit cups, canned tuna and granola bars. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased and all proceeds will go toward Nourishing Network.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/sponsor-spotlight-experience-momentum-wellness-center-grand-opening-on-friday/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 12, 2015 at 09:18PM

Prep softball: Mavericks down Warriors 4-2

Haili Taylor at bat. (Photo by Karl Swenson)

Meadowdale’s softball team, led by four runs from right-fielder Haili Taylor, beat Edmonds-Woodway 4-2 in a Wesco 3A South game Tuesday.

Taylor hit a two-run single in the fourth to tie the game, then added a two-run home run in the sixth to give the Mavericks the win.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/prep-softball-mavericks-down-warriors-4-2/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 08, 2015 at 07:32PM

Snohomish County Fire District 1 promotes Keene to Captain

Tom Keene

Firefighter/Paramedic Tom Keene been promoted to the rank of captain at Snohomish County Fire District 1.

Captains are responsible for supervising shift personnel at the fire station level – overseeing a crew of three to five firefighters.

Keene has been assigned to Hilltop Fire Station 22 east of Lynnwood. He began his career in 1989 as a resident firefighter and emergency medical technician at Washington State University in Pullman. He completed his paramedic training at Northern Virginia Community College in Fairfax in 1992. He returned to Washington and over the next 14 years worked as a paramedic, flight paramedic and operations supervisor of emergency medical services (EMS) in Wenatchee.

Keene joined Snohomish County Fire District 1 in 2006. He is a rescue technician, an EMS instructor, acting medical services officer and EMS quality assurance committee member.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/snohomish-county-fire-district-1-promotes-keene-to-captain/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on April 06, 2015 at 07:53PM

Prep swimming: Meadowdale sophomore finishes 13th in 100 backstroke at state championships

Meadowdale sophomore Carson VanFarowe took 13th place overall in the 100-yard backstroke at the 3A State Swimming championships Saturday at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

VanFarowe swam of time of 57.48, just a little slower than his preliminary time of 57.23.

The post Prep swimming: Meadowdale sophomore finishes 13th in 100 backstroke at state championships appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/prep-swimming-meadowdale-sophomore-finishes-13th-100-backstroke-state-championships/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on February 22, 2015 at 10:24AM

Edmonds School District swimmers in 3A championships that begin Friday

The following Edmonds School District swimmers have qualified for the 3A Boys State Swimming and Diving Championships in Federal Way, which begin on Friday at 9:45 a.m.

The post Edmonds School District swimmers in 3A championships that begin Friday appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/edmonds-school-district-swimmers-3a-championships-begin-friday/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on February 20, 2015 at 10:37AM

Happening nearby: School bus overturns on I-5, multiple minor injuries reported

A photo of the bus rollover accident, courtesy of Washington State Patrol.

Our online news partner The Seattle Times reports that a school bus carrying a high school basketball team rolled over on Interstate 5 in Mountlake Terrace. KOMO-TV reports that the team was from King’s High School.

Early reports from the scene indicate there were multiple minor injuries, according to the Washington State Patrol, and nine people were taken to a hospital for observation. Nine others were met by their families at the crash scene, Shoreline Fire Department reported in a tweet.

The bus was carrying the boy’s basketball team back from Mount Vernon, where they had just played a championship game with Lynden Christian which they won 74-63 to take the District 1A title, our friends at Shoreline Area News said.

No cause for the crash has been determined.

The crash occurred near southbound I-5 and westbound Highway 104 in Mountlake Terrace.

The post Happening nearby: School bus overturns on I-5, multiple minor injuries reported appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/happening-nearby-school-bus-overturns-5-multiple-minor-injuries-reported/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on February 15, 2015 at 12:11PM

Prep wrestling: Lynnwood, Meadowdale Wesco 3A South District meet photo gallery

Lynnwood’s Reald Markokaj vs. Mountlake Terrace’s Reyne Mack.

Meadowdale’s Eugene Yang vs. Edmonds-Woodway’s Trevor Hendricks.

Lynnwood’s Leul Wolde vs. Glacier Peak’s Hunter Cabrera.

Edmonds-Woodway’s Ellis Carlson vs. Meadowdale’s Ariz Zarei.

Meadowdale’s Tim Smith, the 220-pound champion.

Meadowdale’s Colton Davis, the 160-pound champion.

The post Prep wrestling: Lynnwood, Meadowdale Wesco 3A South District meet photo gallery appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/prep-wrestling-lynnwood-meadowdale-wesco-3a-south-district-meet-photo-gallery/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on February 09, 2015 at 10:27AM

Meadowdale, Edmonds-Woodway students named Presidential Scholar candidates

Kevin Kim

Griffin Over

Griffin Over of Meadowdale High and Kevin Kim of Edmonds-Woodway High School and have been selected as candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program through the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the United States Department of Education.

Scholars are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas – academic and artistic success, leadership and involvement in school and the community – and represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth, according to the award letter. Griffin and Kevin are invited to Washington, D.C. in June to participate in the National Recognition Program.

The post Meadowdale, Edmonds-Woodway students named Presidential Scholar candidates appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/meadowdale-edmonds-woodway-students-named-presidential-scholar-candidates/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on February 03, 2015 at 10:09AM

Dick’s invites customers ‘to go beast mode’ with burger deals Sunday

Seahawks fans are invited “to go beast mode” on Dick’s Drive-In burgers during Super Bowl Sunday.

You can receive three cheeseburgers or hamburgers for $3 on Sunday, Feb. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 12 cent Coca-Cola products, all sizes, all day. There’s a limit of six cheeseburgers or hamburgers per customer at the discount price.

Dick’s is located on Highway 99 just north of 220th Street Southwest in Edmonds.

The post Dick’s invites customers ‘to go beast mode’ with burger deals Sunday appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/dicks-invites-customers-go-beast-mode-burger-deals-sunday/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on January 30, 2015 at 10:50AM

Both Lynnwood suspects in prostitution rackets now in custody

Following King County Superior Court’s issuing of felony warrants at $250,000 each, 48-year-old David DeLay and 20-year-old Marysa Comer both have been arrested, according to a Redmond Police press release.

DeLay was taken into custody on the evening of Jan. 12 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The FBI arrested Comer at a Chicago hotel, where possible evidence of prostitution was found, on Jan. 13. DeLay was booked into King County Jail. Comer is in Illinois’ Cook County Jail; Redmond Police Investigators are working with the FBI to begin her extradition process.

The victims and their families have been notified of DeLay and Comer’s arrests. Detectives learned that one victim, who is turning 18 this week, was planning to leave Washington state and travel to Chicago to meet and work with Comer.

DeLay is charged with Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, Trafficking and Tampering with a Witness; Comer is charged with Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, Trafficking, Cyberstalking, Extortion in the Second Degree and Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree.

The pair allegedly engaged with teenage girls and young women through the Internet, indicating they wanted them to take part in a documentary about prostitution and sex trafficking. While the victims were convinced they were assisting with documentary production and would earn a substantial amount of money, they were subjected to prostitution and sex trafficking throughout the United States.

The post Both Lynnwood suspects in prostitution rackets now in custody appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://lynnwoodtoday.com/lynnwood-suspects-prostitution-rackets-now-custody/

This article by lynnwoodtoday originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on January 15, 2015 at 08:27AM

Save a life and equip a hero at Feb. 28 gala

Would you know what to do if someone collapsed? That’s the question students were asked at Lynnwood High School when an AED/CPR flash mob invaded their gym during an assembly in late 2014. The events were organized by the Heart of Edmonds School District & Community Heart Safe Project and Nick of Time Foundation, a non-profit organization. Melinda Truax helped organize each event after her 16-year-old son Matthew collapsed on the Meadowdale High School track in September 2013 and died from sudden cardiac arrest. Everyone is invited to attend the Save A Life; Equip a Hero gala fundraiser planned for Feb. 28 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Money raised will be used to purchase automated external defibrillators for all district schools. You can purchase gala tickets or make a donation at http://ift.tt/1BoPkhe

The post Save a life and equip a hero at Feb. 28 gala appeared first on Lynnwood Today.

Read Full Story from Lynnwood Today http://ift.tt/1BoPhSM

This article by Administrator originally appeared on lynnwoodtoday.com on January 05, 2015 at 10:03AM